Arrests as immigration raids target workers

More than 20 people have been arrested after immigration raids across the West Midlands.

Delivery drivers suspected of working illegally were targeted by officers in Birmingham, Coventry and Hereford, the Home Office said.

Images showed enforcement agents apprehending two men at New Street railway station on Wednesday, as people were stopped for allegedly using modified e-bikes.

It comes amid a crackdown on undocumented workers operating in the so-called gig economy, as well as places like car washes, construction sites and nail bars.

The two-day operation saw 21 foreign nationals taken into custody for a range of immigration offences, the government added.

They included people from Eritrea, Guinea, Italy, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Bangladesh.

All of them now face being deported from the UK.

Matthew Foster, who leads on immigration in the West Midlands, said illegal working was undercutting legitimate businesses and allowing vulnerable people to be exploited.

"Those who choose to break the law by working illegally or employing illegal workers should expect to be caught and face the consequences," he said.

The enforcement activity comes after ministers promised to get tough on illegal migration to "protect UK borders".

Plans have included a focus on food delivery companies such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat to prevent illegal working.

In June, the companies agreed to strengthen security checks following reports some asylum seekers were working illegally as couriers.

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